- Safiu Kehinde
A Nigerian lawmaker, Kolawole Akinlayo (APC-Ekiti), has slammed critics accusing President Bola Tinubu of biasness, as he claimed that the President has been very fair in terms of appointments and the distribution of projects to all geo-political zones of the country.
The House of Representatives member representing Ido/Osi/Moba/Ilejemeje Federal Constituency made this known while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.
Akinlayo said that individuals raising concerns of alleged marginalisation were complaining merely because they had not personally benefited.
“The President has been very fair to all parts of the country in terms of appointments and the distribution of projects, regardless of how many votes he received in those areas.
“I think the President has demonstrated equity across all regions from the North to the South when it comes to appointments.
“If you look at the numbers, the North still has the highest share, those crying foul are simply those who have been left out of the current arrangement.
“Be that as it may, I am strongly convinced that the President will return in 2027 just as Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti state will be re-elected unopposed in 2026 due to his excellent performance,” he said.
The lawmaker, however, suggested that the government should adopt technology to balance the “carrot and stick” approach to tackling insecurity in the country.
According to him, the methods currently being used has not worked well, hence, there is need for the government to invest more in technology.
He said that with the right tools, security agencies can monitor and deploy drones to places like the Sambisa Forest and beyond to checkmate terrorists.
“We cannot continue this way, too many lives are being lost and families displaced. Technology is the best approach to solving the insecurity challenges, he said.
The legislator opposed a recent proposal by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which sought to allow political parties to nominate replacements for legislators who die or resign.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the proposal by the electoral umpire was aimed at reducing cost of elections in the country.
Akinlayo, however, warned that such a move could trigger internal party conflicts which could further threaten internal and external democracy.
“Allowing party leaders to handpick replacements without consulting the people would only breed rancour.
“It undermines internal democracy and the will of the electorate,” he said.